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From Japan To The U.S. - Ducati Globetrotting Trip Roars On

Ducati’s celebration of its 90th anniversary writes another chapter as the worldwide Globetrotter 90° trip wraps up number three of a seven stage journey.

The latest stage was completed by Belgian rider Jessica Leyne, the only woman involved with the trip around the world on the Multistrada 1200 Enduro. This event is more than a roadtrip on steroids, instead intended as homage to Ducati and its first 90 years. The routes recall milestones in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer’s rich history and the seven riders making the globetrotting trip were chosen out of 3,000 applications from everyday enthusiasts.

The last leg was considered as a huge success for Jessica Leyne, 27 who rode across Japan, dealing with typhoon Malakas which brought gusts of wind of up to 100 mph as well as flooding. Braving the stormy elements Jessica was barely delayed by the typhoon as she crossed the Land of the Rising Sun.

Having arrived in San Francisco, Jessica Leyne handed the torch to the next Globetrotter, Eduardo Generali and with four stages still to run, the Globetrotter 90° adventure aims to cover a total distance of 30,000 km. The first Globetrotter left Bologna, Italy on July 4th as World Ducati Week wrapped up and now Generali, 28, a tour guide and riding instructor from Itu, in the State of São Paulo in Brazil will cover 3900 km in 13 days, to reach Indianapolis.

The Japanese Leg, Detailed

Jessica left Tokyo on September 17th taking to the roads of Mount Fuji, the volcano that dominates over the city populated by 35 million. Then it was on to Kiushi in the south of Japan and the Hiroaki Iwashita museum, which houses the world’s only remaining prototype of the Ducati Apollo. The first superbike designed in Borgo Panigale, the Apollo boasted 1257 cc and for the first time a distinctive feature of Ducatis ever since, a 90° L-twin.

Jessica then continued her journey, stopping off at the Motegi racetrack which was the setting for Ducati’s great MotoGP win in 2007. Having won ten races throughout the course of the championship, Australian rider Casey Stoner finished in sixth place to score the world title. But the race was won by the other Desmosedici, ridden by Loris Capirossi leaving an indelible memory for Ducati and racing fans alike.

After Motegi, Jessica visited another glorious racetrack for Ducati, Sugo’s Sportsland. It was here, in 1998 Carl Fogarty won the deciding race to achieve his third Superbike world title, the seventh for Ducati, in a spectacular final battle against Aaron Slight. Between 1990 and 1998, the red twins also dominated with Raymond Roche and Doug Polen.

On a more personal note, Jessica’s trip was packed with emotional experiences. On Kinki Island she saw the famous “Meotoiwa”, known as the “married couple rocks”, which is a symbol of love. The contrast between very modern Osaka and the forests and white beaches she saw enroute proved to be an evocative one, as was the traditional castle in the center of Chūō-ku city.

“A great example of how the ancient can live in the modern”, recounted the Globetrotter.

Once back in Tokyo, “Jess” crossed the Pacific, arriving in San Francisco to meet with Brazilian Eduardo and hand him the bike and torch on 5 October.

The Next Stage

The next stage will take Generali across the Western United States, from California to Indiana in the Midwest. He’ll visit legendary racetracks such as Laguna Seca and adventurous routes such as Pikes Peak in the Colorado mountains, the setting for the famous “race towards the clouds” that Ducati won on three consecutive occasions from 2011 to 2013.

More information about the globetrotting event and its riders can be found here and here. Ducati are using different channels of social media to track and report on the celebratory adventure with an official website, its Facebook page as well on Instagram and twitter.